The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-09-22
The Centennial Celebration.

The celebration of the centennial anniversary of
the adoption of the Constitution was begun at Phil
adelphia Thursday. The civic and industrial par
ade was the feature of the day and was grand
success. Friday was military day, the President
and General sheridan reviewing the troops. Gov
ernor Bo'lwell who headed the Maine military tel
tgral'hc' ''Ihe marching of the Maine Militia in
the review bv President Cleveland and the govern
uI- Of the different states, to-day, was pronounced
t'N military critics As excellent, and equal to any
Isl the parade. Their military bearing and conduct
has been Il credit to the Old Pine Tree
state" The celebration closed Saturday with Il
-, Il gathering in Independence square. There
was ii'Ic>- by President Cleveland, an Grafton
by Justice Miller and achorlis of 1000 voices sang
.ty new rational H. mnby Oliver Wendell Holmes
The GLOWING letter wa received from Hon
james q. Blaine:
lltMIiI re-, Germany, sept. ,, 1851
Hon. John \. ka,,on, Amos Il. Little, Hampton
l.. Carson.
''cntlcmtn--lt is with sincere regret that | find
my sell unable to accept your invitation to be pres
emf AT the celebration of the centennial annivcr
~tly OF the adoption of the Constitution of the
utea States, sept. Il, 1857. Next to the Declare
Il"n "i intieleHdence the orainng of the Collst-
tuition j. the great event to be celebrated for an
tliAe ~ the American people. AS years FOIL by
ana INC liillDn grows III numbers, power. i'll
Prestige, our admiration and appreciation of the
men who framed our organic law are strengthens
tu. II was assurc'ly Il work of genius to construct
10" - feeble states with an aggregate of $500 OGO
people, Il Constitution which 100 wears later is
found perfectly adapted to the needs and wi shes
OF powerful Nation. expanded fourfo in its
territorial area, with IS States and more than Co.
"o,toJ people. Perhaps i'll no country and at no
period of the worlds history has the conception Of
tree government firmly secured by the checks and
iftl.inccs OF permanent and conservative Const
tuition, been more profoundly studied and com,,re
h@ndett tran by our forefathers. They efcctuillv
organized a revolution against the foolish tyranny
OF an English King and against the arrogant bear
Ing Of an English Parliament. After victory in
me hcld, they completed their work by iavny
broad anu deep the foundation of Il popular yov-
eminent in which the people are rulers and the of
1ClalS are servants.
II ne extraordinary proportion of men who in
mat patriotic generation were fitted by long study
ana training for the highest duties of statesman
snip Is shown by the fact that of the so members
OF the Congress of 7.6 who signed the Declaration
OF independence only six were included in the 80
members OF the convention of l1S7, who signed the
Constitution. The reverence and the affection
winch we felt towards these great men will be best
shown by eherishing their work and assuring to
our descendants as many and as grateful reasons
fora natl celebration of the establishment of the
Constitution as those which influence us today,
With great respect, faithfully yours,